1
as in inventive
having the skill and imagination to create new things
an imaginative child who is always writing short stories about her pet cat
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2
as in innovative
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing
found an imaginative gadget that can grind the beans and heat the water to brew coffee
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Recent Examples of imaginative
This gift not only honors Arlen and Harburg’s imaginative genius but also preserves the legacy of the music that has captured the hearts of generations.
—
Paul Grein, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2025
Kompany will have to get imaginative.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Even more imaginative than the characters is Mohr’s prose, which is at once raw and rhythmic, channeling mosh-pit chaos with poetic precision.
—Gracie Wiener, Air Mail, 16 Aug. 2025
Next summer, the science center will take KidSpace—a special section designated for younger children—beyond its walls and into the open air with an imaginative outdoor science playscape that blends hands-on learning with adventurous play, officials said.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imaginative
Paul Grein, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2025
Kompany will have to get imaginative.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Even more imaginative than the characters is Mohr’s prose, which is at once raw and rhythmic, channeling mosh-pit chaos with poetic precision.
—Gracie Wiener, Air Mail, 16 Aug. 2025
Next summer, the science center will take KidSpace—a special section designated for younger children—beyond its walls and into the open air with an imaginative outdoor science playscape that blends hands-on learning with adventurous play, officials said.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imaginative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imaginative
Adjective
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Distillation is particularly inventive at Loch Lomond.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Its signature restaurant, FYSH at EDITION, wins the hearts and palates of guests with inventive, scale-to-tail seafood (like vanilla gelato with tuna eyes) amid velvet banquets and tropical plants.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Can any of those innovative ideas help solve Miami-Dade’s growing waste crisis?—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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The rich use their muscle; the poorer must be more innovative to succeed.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Somewhere, creative teams are readying a rock opera and a Saturday morning cartoon.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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And, since Congress expects workers and employers to be (cough) creative when characterizing wages as tips to avoid paying taxes on otherwise taxable income, Treasury is authorized to issue additional guidance to prevent abuse.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This can be read as a clever knock on some of the mockumentary-format comedies that followed The Office, often — ahem, Modern Family — failing to provide any actual reason for the doc-style shooting and talking-head interviews.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
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But poems are cleverer than the people who write them.—
Leila Chatti
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Russ then tries to resurrect his dreams by disguising himself as Chad Powers — a talented oddball who walks on to the struggling South Georgia Catfish team.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Sep. 2025
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Both individuals are immensely talented and underdog picks, which always is the most exciting for us.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imaginative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imaginative. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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